Ridge Holland Was Reportedly Considered for The New Day After the Group Turned Heel

Former WWE Superstars The New Day (now The New Level’s Austin Creed and Kofi in AEW) nearly had a new third member after the duo turned on Big E in December 2024, and the name is surprising. Dave Meltzer reports in the latest edition of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Ridge Holland was considered for the stable following the heel turn.

Meltzer notes that the idea was to have Holland join the newly heel New Day as a third member. However, while the idea was discussed, it was “ultimately nixed.”

Following his return to the NXT roster in December 2023, Ridge Holland eventually turned on Chase U, going heel as well, around September 2024. That offers one reason why WWE was considering a new direction for the former Brawling Brutes member.

Ridge Holland’s WWE contract was terminated in November 2025. After it was initially reported that WWE opted not to renew his contract, Holland made a statement on social media that he “felt hung out to dry” by WWE. WWE then decided to terminate his contract earlier over his critical statements, viewing them as a breach of contract.

As for The New Day, Grayson Waller later aligned with the group in the summer of 2025. Kofi and Creed parted ways with WWE earlier this year after they rejected an offer to restructure their WWE contracts.